N
10(2): 715-719, 2015 (Supplement on Genetics and Plant Breeding)
Save Nature to Survive
www.thebioscan.in
GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION OF CORM AND
CORMEL PRODUCTION IN GLADIOLUS
TANYA THAKUR* AND K. K. DHATT
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping,
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, INDIA
e-mail: [email protected]
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Gladiolus
Corm
Cormel
Twelve gladiolus genotypes were planted on five different dates from 10th October to 10th December, 2011 at
fortnightly interval and traits for corm and cormel production were evaluated. The number of corms and cormels
per plant were maximum under 10th October planting (1.75 and 24.37 respectively) and in cv. Punjab Lemon
Delight (2.01) and Punjab Glance (41.52) respectively. The result of G x E interaction shows that the number of
corms and cormels per plant in twelve genotypes under five different environments ranges from 1.00 to 2.66 and
1.66 to 75.00 respectively. The maximum corm weight and corm size was in cv. Rose Supreme (102.70 g and
5.66 cm respectively) and under 10th October planting (76.07g and 4.39cm respectively). The G x E interactions
shows that the corm weight per plant and corm size ranges from 10.83 to 106.86g and 2.70 to 6.51cm
respectively. It concluded that the best planting time with respect to corm and cormel production was 10th
October while 10th December was least favourable.
Received on :
21.02.2015
Accepted on :
17.05.2015
*Corresponding
author
gladiolus which are good multiplier with respect to corm and
cormel production under varying environments. The present
research work was planned to investigate the best planting
time and genotype of gladiolus for corms and cormel
production under agro ecological conditions of Ludhiana,
Punjab.
INTRODUCTION
Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.), a member of family
Iridaceae is one of the important bulbous ornamental which
occupies important position among cut flowers in domestic
as well as international market. It is universally acclaimed
prestigious cut flower (Ram et al., 2005). Gladiolus bulbs, in
botanical terminology, are referred to as corms, the main
propagating material in gladiolus. A corm is a shortened and
thickened section of the stem that appears at the base of the
plant (Bhujbal et al., 2014). The corm formation starts with the
initiation of the spike and completes when the spikes attain
full bloom. Bhujbal et al., 2014 reported that use of growth
regulators combined with cold storage temperature was
effective in the breaking of corm dormancy. After flowering,
when the photosynthates are directed downwards, the corm
and cormels continue to increase in size (Hartmann et al.,
1981).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experimental material used for the study consisted of
twelve gladiolus genotypes viz. Punjab Flame, Punjab Pink
Elegance, Punjab Glance, Punjab Lemon Delight, Sylvia,
Suchitra, CPG, Jacksonville Gold, Red Advance, Red Beauty,
Fidelio and Rose Supreme planted under five different planting
times i.e. 10th October, 25th October, 10th November, 25th
November and 10th December, 2011 in the experiment farm
area of Floriculture and Landscaping Department, Punjab
Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 2011-2012. The
corms were planted as per Randomized Block Design (RBD)
with three replications at spacing of 30x20 cm with plot size
of 2.4 m2 and recommended cultural practices were followed
to raise the crop. For corm and cormel analysis, the twelve
genotypes were evaluated for 4 traits viz. number of corms
per plant, number of cormels per plants, corm size, and weight
of corm per plant under five different planting dates and data
was pooled. The pooled data was analyzed statistically by
ANOVA test (Steel et al., 1997) and critical differences were
worked out at five percent level to draw statistical conclusion
which indicated the significant differences existed among
genotypes for all character under different environments and
the genotype x environment interaction was significant for all
the characters.
Date of planting plays an important role in improving the
vegetative growth, quality and bulb production of gladiolus
(Khan et al., 2008) which also satisfies the consumer’s
demands (Zubair et al., 2006). Talia and Traversa (1986)
mentioned that better size gladiolus corms were obtained from
February and March plantings. Suh and Kwack (1990) reported
that the formation of good quality corms was promoted with
early planting dates.
Phenotype in addition to the inherent make up is greatly
influenced by environmental conditions as well as interaction
between genotype and environment. The ability to produce
corms and cormels per plant determines its rate of
multiplication and these characters would be very effective in
breeding programme. There is a dearth of good varieties of
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TANYA THAKUR AND K. K. DHATT
Number of corms/plant
(2.66) under third planting followed by cv. CPG (2.60) under
first planting. Cultivar Red Advance produces lowest number
of corms (1.00) under third and fifth planting.
Number of corms plant was counted
Number of cormels/plant
In the present study, the number of corms per plant was found
to be significant; maximum number of corms were produced
by cv. Punjab Lemon Delight followed by Rose Supreme. While
analyzing the effect of planting time on corm production it
was observed that corm production was not affected due to
varied temperature till mid-November, but drastic reduction
was noticed in December planting. Therefore this might be
due to the poor establishment resulting in poor plant growth,
smaller spikes which results in minimum corm number in all
varieties. This result is synergistic with the findings Saini et al.,
1988 as they also reported highest yield of corm under early
planting of 10th November and minimum under late planting
of 10th December.
Number of cormels per plant was counted
Size of corms (cm)
Size of corms was taken with measuring scale
Corm weight (g) per plant
Total weight of all corms from one plant was weighed
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Number of corms per plant
It is quite evident from the data presented in Table 1 that the
number of corms per plant was significantly altered by
genotypes, environments and genotype x environment
interactions.
Number of cormels per plant
The number of cormels produced per plant by various
genotypes under different environments is presented in Table
2. There was significant variation due to genotypes,
environment and genotype x environment interactions.
The results indicates that the maximum number of corms per
plant under first planting was produced by cv. CPG (2.60)
which is at par with cv. Punjab Glance (2.33).Under second
and third plantings the maximum corms per plant were
recorded in cv. Punjab Lemon Delight (2.26 and 2.66
respectively). Cultivar Rose Supreme produced maximum
corms per plant under fourth and fifth planting (2.06 and 1.90
respectively). Under first planting minimum number of corms
per plant was observed in cultivars Punjab Flame and Red
Advance (1.20).
The results indicates that the maximum number of cormels
produced per plant under 0ctober to November planting was
recorded in cv. Punjab Glance ranging from 29.13 to 75.00
which is considered as best for cormel production. Cultivar
Rose Supreme produces highest number of cormels under
fifth planting (10.33) which is at par with cv. Punjab Glance
(9.70). The minimum number of cormels per plant was
produced in cv. Suchitra under first, second and third planting.
Cultivars Punjab Pink Elegance (3.50) and Punjab Flame (1.66)
produced lowest number of cormels under fourth and fifth
planting.
The number of corms per plant ranges from 1.08 to 2.01 in
twelve genotypes under study. The highest was recorded in
cv. Punjab Lemon Delight (2.01) which is at par with cv. Rose
Supreme (1.99). Cultivar Red Advance produces lowest
number of corms (1.08).
The number of cormels per plant showed a large variation
with its values ranging from 5.19 to 41.52 in twelve genotypes.
The highest number produced in cv. Punjab Glance (41.52)
which differs significantly from cv. Punjab Lemon Delight
(20.15). Cultivar Suchitra produces the lowest number of
cormels (5.19) which differs significantly from cv. Jackson Ville
Gold (8.81).
The number of corms produced in five different environment
ranges from 1.44 to 1.74. The maximum number of corms per
plant was produced under first planting (1.75) followed by
third and fourth planting (1.54). Under fifth planting the
minimum corms were produced (1.44).
The number of corms per plant ranges from 1.00 to 2.66 in
twelve genotypes in five different environments. The highest
number of corms was reported in cv. Punjab Lemon Delight
The number of cormels per plant ranges from 6.28 to 24.37 in
Table 1: Effect of genotypes and environment on number of corms per plant
Genotypes
Environment
10 Oct
25 Oct
10 Nov
25 Nov
10 Dec
Mean
CPG
Fidelio
Punjab Lemon Delight
Punjab Flame
Red Beauty
Punjab Pink Elegance
Sylvia
Punjab Glance
Red Advance
Jacksonville Gold
Rose Supreme
Suchitra
Mean
2.60
1.66
1.96
1.20
1.40
1.80
1.60
2.33
1.20
1.40
1.94
1.98
1.75
1.93
1.73
2.26
1.33
1.20
1.26
1.26
1.33
1.06
1.26
1.80
1.62
1.50
1.60
1.33
2.66
1.73
1.13
1.33
1.26
1.60
1.00
1.33
2.26
1.33
1.54
1.66
1.50
1.66
1.66
1.19
1.33
1.26
1.86
1.13
1.33
2.06
1.93
1.54
1.80
1.83
1.83
1.19
1.41
1.00
1.13
1.19
1.00
1.40
1.90
1.66
1.44
1.92
1.61
2.01
1.42
1.26
1.34
1.30
1.66
1.08
1.34
1.99
1.70
-
C.D. (P = 0.05); Genotype = 0.11; Environment = 0.17; G x E Interaction = 0.39
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GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION
Table 2: Effect of genotypes and environment on number of cormels per plant
Genotypes
Environment
10 Oct
25 Oct
10 Nov
25 Nov
10 Dec
Mean
CPG
Fidelio
Punjab Lemon Delight
Punjab Flame
Red Beauty
Punjab Pink Elegance
Sylvia
Punjab Glance
Red Advance
Jacksonville Gold
Rose Supreme
Suchitra
Mean
12.93
25.60
56.46
20.40
12.13
26.60
13.30
75.00
25.93
7.06
12.83
4.27
24.37
17.00
9.13
13.93
9.59
21.40
10.66
12.40
37.03
13.23
15.93
10.86
4.03
14.59
17.33
26.80
19.86
16.73
25.20
15.26
9.53
56.73
18.86
7.53
15.43
6.83
19.67
13.46
4.66
6.66
4.33
9.47
3.50
9.86
29.13
7.40
8.21
13.46
5.63
9.64
9.06
5.33
3.83
1.66
7.69
4.33
8.00
9.70
4.93
5.33
10.33
5.20
6.28
13.96
14.30
20.15
10.54
15.17
12.07
10.62
41.52
14.07
8.81
12.58
5.19
_
C.D. (P = 0.05); Genotype = 0.95; Environment = 0.61; G x E Interaction = 2.12
Table 3: Effect of genotypes and environment on corm weight (g) per plant
Genotypes
CPG
Fidelio
Punjab Lemon Delight
Punjab Flame
Red Beauty
Punjab Pink Elegance
Sylvia
Punjab Glance
Red Advance
Jacksonville Gold
Rose Supreme
Suchitra
Mean
Environment
10 Oct
25 Oct
10 Nov
25 Nov
10 Dec
Mean
80.06
103.73
68.13
36.40
66.26
73.86
59.40
100.00
52.00
60.86
106.86
105.33
76.07
49.40
67.73
41.33
23.60
55.13
31.40
37.40
53.93
39.93
46.46
101.00
89.00
53.02
28.33
38.40
31.46
26.66
39.00
30.00
29.60
36.60
32.86
29.26
105.66
72.00
41.65
25.13
32.50
22.33
13.33
35.30
17.33
22.06
47.10
27.66
31.13
102.00
68.30
37.01
20.13
28.66
18.66
10.83
27.53
13.66
15.80
23.63
20.86
30.20
98.00
62.30
30.85
40.61
54.20
36.38
22.16
44.64
33.25
32.85
52.25
34.66
39.58
102.70
79.38
_
C.D. (P = 0.05); Genotype = 4.70; Environment = 3.03; G x E Interaction = 10.51
February.
five different environments. The maximum was observed under
first planting (24.37) which is significantly more than third
planting (19.67). The minimum numbers of cormels were
produced under fifth planting (6.28). The number of cormels
produced per plant in twelve genotypes under five
environments ranges from 1.66 to 75.00. The maximum
number was recorded in cv. Punjab Glance under first planting
followed by third planting (75.00 and 56.73 respectively).
Cultivar Punjab Flame (1.66) under fifth planting produces
the minimum number of cormels.
Size of corms
The statistical data presented in Table 4 indicates that size of
corms is significantly affected by genotypes, environment and
genotype environment interaction.
The results show that the maximum size of corm was recorded
in cv. Rose Supreme and it was 6.51 cm in second planting.
The minimum size of corm was observed in cv. Punjab Flame
ranging from 2.70 to 3.59 cm. Cultivar Punjab Lemon Delight
produces minimum corm size under third planting (3.00 cm).
The minimum size was in cv. Punjab Pink Elegance (2.85 cm)
under fourth planting.
Adil et al., 2013 reported positive correlation between
temperature at time of planting and number of cormels
recorded. The temperature was higher during October
planting (32.1ºC) than December planting (21.6C) which
favored cormel production in October. This could be
supported with finding of Ahmad et al., 2011 as they reported
maximum number of cormels production under 4th April
planting and minimum under 20th March planting because
gladiolus requires slightly high temperature for cormels
production and Sharma and Talukdar., 2003 reported
minimum number of cormels per corm under late planting of
December. This result is synergistic with that of Laskar and
Jana (1994) who reported that the corms productions were
best with planting on 19th March as compare to 7th and 27th
The size of corms in twelve genotypes ranges from 3.16 to
5.66 cm. The significant differences were recorded among
the genotypes for the corm size in terms of diameter. Cultivar
Rose Supreme produces the maximum corms size (5.66 cm)
which differs significantly from Red Beauty (4.58 cm). The
least size was observed in cv. Punjab Flame (3.16 cm) which
was at par with cv. CPG (3.34 cm). Roy and Sharma., 2000
also reported maximum corm diameter in cv. Rose Supreme.
The size of corms in five environment ranges from 3.59 to
4.39. The biggest corms were produced under first planting
(4.39 cm) which is at par with second planting (4.35 cm). The
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TANYA THAKUR AND K. K. DHATT
Table 4: Effect of genotypes and environment on size of corms (cm)
Genotypes
Environment
10 Oct
25 Oct
10 Nov
25 Nov
10 Dec
Mean
CPG
Fidelio
Punjab Lemon Delight
Punjab Flame
Red Beauty
Punjab Pink Elegance
Sylvia
Punjab Glance
Red Advance
Jacksonville Gold
Rose Supreme
Suchitra
Mean
3.61
4.64
4.15
3.50
4.55
4.18
4.12
4.45
4.58
4.38
6.16
4.40
4.39
3.83
4.59
3.40
3.29
5.26
3.73
3.95
4.66
4.44
4.42
6.51
4.13
4.35
3.30
4.30
3.00
3.19
4.79
3.65
3.81
3.93
4.32
4.03
5.90
4.07
4.02
3.11
3.87
3.50
3.12
4.36
2.85
3.42
4.16
4.00
3.57
4.80
3.77
3.71
2.87
3.38
3.25
2.70
4.00
3.33
3.07
4.05
3.78
3.87
4.93
3.90
3.59
3.34
4.16
3.46
3.16
4.59
3.55
3.67
4.25
4.22
4.05
5.66
4.05
_
C.D. (P = 0.05); Genotype = 0.21; Environment = 0.13; G x E Interaction = 0.47
minimum corm size was recorded under fifth planting (3.59
cm).
time was delayed. The maximum was in first planting (76.07
g) which is significantly higher than second planting (53.02 g).
The minimum weight was under fifth planting (30.85 g).
Sharma and Talukdar., 2003 also reported maximum weight
of corm under early planting of October- November and under
late planting of December.
The size of corm ranges from 2.70 to 6.51 cm in twelve
genotypes under different environments. The maximum corm
size was recorded in cv. Rose Supreme in second planting
followed by first and third planting (6.51, 6.16 and 5.90 cm
respectively). Cultivar Punjab Flame under December planting
produces the smallest corms (2.70 cm) followed by cv. Punjab
Pink Elegance (2.85 cm) under fourth planting. The corm size
was reported maximum under 10th October planting followed
by 25th October planting.
The weight of corms per plant ranges from 10.83 to 106.86 g
in twelve genotypes under five different environment. The
maximum weight was recorded in cv. Rose Supreme under
first planting (106.86 g) followed by third planting (105.66 g).
Cultivar Punjab Flame under fifth planting (10.83 g) followed
by fourth planting (13.33 g) produces the minimum corm
weight per plant.
The delay in planting time from October to December resulted
in decreased size of corm due to reduced performance and
availability of photosynthates. These results justify the reports
of Ahmad et al., 2011 who reported the maximum diameter of
corms under 18th February planting (3.19 cm) because at that
time the plants had best performance due to which they
produced more photosynthates which caused big sized corms.
Zubair et al., 2006 and also suggested that a delay in planting
time resulted in the decreased diameter of both daughter corms
and cormels. Sharma and Talukdar., 2003 also reported
minimum corm size under December planting.
Adil et al., 2013 reported that the positive correlation occurs
between temperature at the time of planting and corm weight.
These result supports our finding as maximum corm weight
was recorded during October planting when maximum
temperature of 32.1ºC prevailed; while minimum corm weight
was during December planting when temperature was 21.6º
C prevailed.
The corm size and corm weight are interrelated parameters
and are significantly affected by the growing environment in
terms of temperature. Significant reduction in corm size and
weight is attributed to reduced accumulation of
photosynthates. These results also justify the findings of Sharma
and Talukdar (2003) who justified the availability of more
food material stored in big size mother corms presenting better
plant growth and corm size. Arora and Sandhu., 1987 reported
higher number of corms and cormels per plant and more
corm weight produced under early planting (September) than
in late planting (November).
Weight of corms per plant
Corm weight is an important yield associated trait in gladiolus.
The statistical analysis of data presented in Table 3, reveals
that the genotypes exhibited ample diversity for corm weight.
The effect of genotype, environment and genotype
environment interaction was significant for weight of corms
per plant.
The result indicates that the maximum weight of corms per
plant was observed in cv. Rose Supreme in all planting dates
ranging from 98.00 to106.86 g. Cultivar Punjab Flame
produces the minimum corm weight per plant under all
plantings ranging from 10.83 to 36.40g.
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